Fern Keller

OTTAWA - Fern Keller, 89, of Ottawa passed away Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at Rivershores in Marseilles. Private graveside services will be held. Gladfelter Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Fern was born June 22, 1922 in Oberon, North Dakota, a daughter of Elmo H. and Georgiana (Coombs) Lever. She married Martin P. Keller on December 14, 1942 in Atlanta, GA. He preceded her in death March 8, 1993. She is survived by two sons, David (Darlene) Keller of Seneca and Kenneth (Cheryl) Keller of Naples FL; four grandchildren, Dawn (Paul) Breehne, Lori (John) Rossiter, Tammy (Charles) Engel and Tonya Keller; four step grandchildren, Darryl Heath, Craig (Debbie) Heath, Scott Heath and friend, Carol, and Kerri (Mark) Orsburn; nine great grandchildren; several great great grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews; and a sister in-law, Clara Keller Moss of Rockford. Her parents, one brother, Elmo LeRoy Lever and three sisters, Veda Edith Lever, Jeanette Lentman and Ellen Bengtson preceded her in death. Fern was a member of St. Francis Church and AARP. She worked in various stores in Ottawa including Press Drugs, Neuman's and Schott's Pharmacies and Luminous Process being one of the "Radium Girls". She moved to Seneca in 1998 moving back to Ottawa to Heritage Woods in 2001. She was an avid bowler along with her husband in earlier years. She loved to dance and organized many Saturday night dances. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family or a charity of the donor's choice.